Elementary School Counselor

Position Purpose
Under the general supervision of the building Principal, the School Counselor provides students, parents, administrators, and staff with guidance on educational and career opportunities. The counselor develops and implements effective programs to meet the needs of all students, fostering a conducive environment for their intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development. The counselor will monitor and evaluate student outcomes, offer individual and group counseling, and provide resources and support to students and their families.

Essential Functions

• Student Counseling & Guidance: Develop and implement a comprehensive school counseling program to meet the needs of all students. Provide individual and group counseling, fostering personal growth, self-understanding, and maturity.
• Program Development & Implementation: Design and implement school counseling programs, including career awareness activities and academic planning. Evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the programs using data.
• Collaboration & Consultation: Work cooperatively with administrators, teachers, and other school personnel to foster effective learning environments. Provide consultation and professional development for teachers and staff to enhance their ability to support students' academic and personal growth. Participate in faculty committees and student activities and model nondiscriminatory practices.
• Parental & Community Involvement: Provide resources and guidance to parents and families to support students' academic, social, and personal development. Maintain communication with parents regarding student progress and counseling services.
• Career Awareness & Transition Support: Coordinate career awareness activities and assist with students’ transitions, including transfers to and from the school. Provide counseling to students transferring into the school to help with their adjustment.
• Record-Keeping & Compliance: Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with school district procedures, privacy laws, and reporting requirements. Demonstrate knowledge of national, state, and local school counseling standards.
• Professional Development: Participate in professional development activities to stay current with trends in school counseling. Maintain effective working relationships with local colleges, universities, and community organizations to offer valuable resources to students.

Additional Duties

• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent. Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of counseling theories, child development, group dynamics, and conflict resolution, as well as the ASCA Model.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to motivate students and collaborate with various school stakeholders, administration and parents.
• Expertise in using data to develop, implement, and evaluate counseling programs.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with internet and computer applications relevant to the position.

Educational Requirements and Certifications

• Education/Certification: Master’s Degree and completed an approved School Counselor preparation program and must be eligible for or possess a valid counselor license from the State of Virginia with an endorsement in School Counseling. Or, currently are a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
• Experience: Prior counseling experience in a school setting for the appropriate grade level(s) is preferred.

FLSA Status: Exempt